TripIt, a Web service that tracks your flight itineraries, is a useful tool for frequent flyers. After creating an account on TripIt, you forward your travel details to plans@tripit.com, and the information becomes available on the Website moments later. The TripIt Android app brings the same service to your phone.
The app handles all of the same basic information as the Website does, but it lacks some advanced features. After you have added a trip, you can click it to see the details; the app then shows the date and time of the trip (using local times), as well as where the flight is coming from, where it is going, and the flight number. You can also click an option to bring up the destination on Google Maps. In addition, you can share your flight itinerary on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Clicking a flight time produces even more information, such as the arrival date, the airport names and terminals, the confirmation code, the seat number, an estimated length of time for the flight, the distance to be covered, contact information for the airline, and, if you booked the flight for other people, their names and ticket numbers.
TripIt also has paid accounts that include features such as notifications of delayed flights and alternative flights. At $70 a year this kind of account probably isn’t necessary for most people, but anyone who flies often may want to consider it. My understanding is that users with a paid account can access those special features in the Android app as well.
One feature that exists on the Website but not in the Android app is a display of what the weather is supposed to be like on the date of your arrival. It’s a nice touch that the app would benefit from. Still, the basics of TripIt are helpful enough to make this a worthy app for any road warrior’s arsenal.